ORIGIN

This 1967 MGB GT is a mechanically refurbished example that has been with the seller for the past 17 years. Believed to have been owned in California since new and still wearing its black plates, the car was repainted and reupholstered at some time prior to the seller’s ownership. In 2003, it underwent an 18 month mechanical and electrical refresh to mostly stock specifications. The 1798cc inline-four was pulled, machined, bored, and rebuilt with new HS2 SU carburetors, pistons, rings and bearings. Brakes and suspension were gone through, and the Mk1 4-speed manual gearbox with overdrive was professionally rebuilt. This MGB is now being offered with a clean California title in the seller’s name.

The car was repainted in its original British Racing Green some time ago. Prior to the mechanical work, an accident caused damage to the rear end, and the left rear fender, lower back panel, and tailgate were repaired. A few paint issues around the top and bottom of the driver-side C-pillar related to the repair are visible. Stone chips are present in the finish and surface rust is evident in parts of the floor pan.

Front seats were re-covered in black leatherette with white piping by a previous owner, and new carpet has also been installed. Some light wear is present on the crackle-black dashboard and no radio is present. The speedometer and tachometer are non-functional, and while the odometer shows 69k miles, true mileage is unknown. Approximately 10k miles were added during the seller’s ownership.

Receipts document the seller’s work, and a recent service included an oil change, coolant change, grease point charge, and ignition check. The mechanical refurbishment in 2003 included the following:

Cylinder block re-bored + 10 and honed

Crankshaft re-ground -10

New main and big-end bearings

New pistons, rings, bearings

New starter ring on flywheel

New camshaft (standard), bearings

Valve-rocker assembly rebuilt

New, correct HS2 SU carburetors

New fuel lines and unions

Rebuilt distributor

Rebuilt starter motor, new pinion gear

Re-cored radiator (4-row element)

New SU electric fuel pump

New clutch assembly

New carbon-ring thrust bearing

Mk1 overdrive gearbox rebuilt by Quantum Mechanics

Heater unit stripped, rebuilt and repainted

According to the seller, the cooling system is marginal in warm weather and the transmission sometimes clicks in and out of 3rd overdrive. Some oil leaking is also noted. Twin 6V batteries were replaced with a single Mazda Miata 12V unit. An original-pattern stainless-steel exhaust system was also fitted. Brake work included a rebuilt master-cylinder and front calipers, new hydraulic pipes, rear brake cylinders, and front discs, and resurfaced rear drums.